In what month is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?

Thanksgiving is celebrated in November in the United States.

The modern U.S. holiday takes place on the fourth Thursday of November. Federal law fixed that schedule in 1941, beginning with observances in 1942. Because the holiday is tied to a weekday rather than a numbered date, it can fall anywhere from November 22 through November 28.

Thanksgiving’s history predates that permanent federal rule. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving in 1863, designating the final Thursday of November during the Civil War. Before then, states and presidents observed thanksgiving days on different dates, so November was traditional but not always legally uniform.

The U.S. holiday should not be confused with Canadian Thanksgiving, which is observed in October. Nor should it be confused with historical harvest celebrations that occurred on other dates. In everyday American usage, however, “Thanksgiving” means the November federal holiday centered on family gatherings, a large meal, and expressions of gratitude.